UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks has issued the following statement in response to the American Studies Association’s decision to impose an academic boycott on Israel:

“A recent decision by the American Studies Association, ASA, to impose an academic boycott on Israel is a regrettable step that subverts academic freedom. Any limit on the open exchange of knowledge and ideas stands in direct opposition to the scholarly values and goals we uphold as an institution. UC Berkeley fully supports the position taken by the Association of American Universities, AAU, against this academic boycott.”